Bobo^® Panicle Hydrangea Hydrangea paniculata

After reading all the glowing reviews for this plant, I think I must be doing something wrong. I bought 3 of these hydrangeas about 5 years ago to put in a grouping. One is doing well, the second one is underwhelming, and the 3rd one is dying a slow death. I even lifted it and replanted it 2 years ago, but it hasn't made much of a difference. I have different hydrangeas all over my garden (incrediball, annabelle, limelight, quickfire, climbing hydrangea, endless summer, and a lace cap hydrangea). All my hydrangeas do well, except for the bobo's. I don't know if I just got a bad batch, with poor roots, or what else could be wrong, I expected a lovely, small hydrangea covered in blooms, but only the large one blooms. I had high hopes again this spring, but nothing has changed. I'm very disappointed, and would hesitate to replace these with the same variety.

I bought 3 of these from Home Depot 3 years ago because the description indicated you could place them in a sunny area. The first year only 1 bloomed so I added bonemeal to the soil around the plants as I read this will help them bloom. It worked, all 3 are blooming and absolutely beautiful. My only complaint is that they are much larger than 36”. I’m sure their growth has much to do with being placed in a sunnier area (they get about 4 hours of sun per day). Unfortunately, they’ve already outgrown the area where planted and will need to be transplanted this Fall. So, if you are planning to plant in a sunny area, be aware that they will probably get bigger than what the label indicates. Mine are 4.5 ft. tall and over 3 ft. wide and gorgeous.

We bought it from a local nursery (pots labeled proven winners) without blooms. Planted these three years ago in spring and it bloomed beautifully the first year. This so far, have been giving us more and more blooms every year, starting as a green foliage in spring to cones of white blooms in summer that turn pink in the fall. I keep them there through winter and the blooms look great for dried cuttings, they maintain their shape all the way to late winter/early spring when im ready to cut them down again. Now we ordered berry poppins and mr poppins online, and will probably come back to review it in a year or two from now.

LOVE. THIS. PLANT!! I want these all over my yard once we have new flower beds developed and a couple of trees further matured! Just gorgeous! Ordered 1 from PW and picked 2 up at my local garden center. Can't wait to watch them grow. Zone 7b 2 in full sun, 1 in partial sun.

Don't give up on Bobo. Just some background - I have a couple dozen hydrangeas including Limelight, Quick Fire Pinky Winky, Endless Summer, Twist 'n Shout and some other newer that I can't remember the names. Bobo is slow and I waited until about the third year to see any major growth and flowering. You cannot compare it's growth rate and flowering to some of the more prolific bloomers. You also cannot overwater or fertilize must especially after the plant is established.